"You know I would; but I am distracted with the cruel surmise to
which this step of Henry's subjects me. What will Washington think of
me, should he learn that I ever became your husband?"
"If that alone impels you to act so harshly towards my brother,"
returned Frances, with a slight tremor in her voice, "let it never
happen for him to learn."
"And this is consolation, Frances!"
"Nay, dear Dunwoodie, I meant nothing harsh or unkind; but are you not
making us both of more consequence with Washington than the truth
will justify?"
"I trust that my name is not entirely unknown to the commander in
chief," said the major, a little proudly; "nor are you as obscure as
your modesty would make you. I believe you, Frances, when you say that
you pity me, and it must be my task to continue worthy of such feelings.
But I waste the precious moments; we must go through the hills to-night,
that we may be refreshed in time for the duty of to-morrow. Mason is
already waiting my orders to mount. Frances, I leave you with a heavy
heart; pity me, but feel no concern for your brother; he must again
become a prisoner, but every hair of his head is sacred."
"Stop! Dunwoodie, I conjure you," cried Frances, gasping for breath, as
she noticed that the hand of the clock still wanted many minutes to the
desired hour.
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